Chris Kamara is reportedly set to become the latest big name to follow Jeff Stelling in leaving Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday programme at the end of the season.
Former footballer Kamara, who spent most of his career playing for Swindon Town and Bradford City, has become a cult figure on the popular football results show for his energetic analysis of games from the Premier League to the EFL.
According to The Daily Mail, Kamara has ‘seen the writing on the wall’ after long-serving host Jeff Stelling announced his impending departure at the end of the season.
The pair have struck up a close friendship during their time together at Sky, with Kamara - also known as 'Kammy' - earning notoriety for coining the phrase “Unbelievable Jeff!”
His famous gaffe on the programme involved missing a red card during a match between Portsmouth and Blackburn, with Kamara hilariously saying: "I don't know Jeff, has there?" when asked about the incident.
It is believed that Kamara, who has worked for Sky since 1999, was keen to keep his cards close to his chest so that his departure does not take the gloss of Stelling’s high-profile exit.
However, news of his decision to go will surely come as a disappointment to football fans who tune in every Saturday, with the 64-year-old one of the main attractions on the show.
It marks an end of an era for the programme, with Stelling announcing in October last year that he would be stepping down from his role after 28 years working for Sky.
"I have loved every moment of my 30 years with Sky, but like every Saturday afternoon the time eventually comes to blow the final whistle,” he said.
"I am proud to have been part of such a winning team for so long and look forward to the many more special moments on Soccer Saturday for rest of this season - and perhaps even another promotion push from Hartlepool United."
It follows the flurry of cuts brought in by Sky in 2020, with the Soccer Saturday panel of Matt Le Tisser, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson all axed by the broadcaster in a bid to cut costs.
Have Your Say! What is your favourite Chris Kamara memory from Soccer Saturday? Comment below.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson was the only surviving member of the quartet to continue along with Stelling, with the latter admitting it would not be the same without his close friends.
Last year, Stelling gave his immediate reaction to the line-up change which saw some of his close friends given the boot, and the fact he wasn’t consulted is understood to have played a part in his decision to quit.
"One of my saddest days ever at Sky Sports with the departure of three of my best mates," he tweeted.
"They have been part of a team that for me was the best."
The report also claims that Alan McInally could be another big name to follow Kamara and Stelling in leaving Sky Sports.
The long-serving Scot, 59, used to hold a prominent role in the studio but has been recently handed reporting duties across lower-profile EFL matches.
While a Sky spokesperson said there were no plans to let the former Celtic and Aston Villa striker go, McInally’s reduced role on the show — combined with Stelling’s departure — may convince him to move on.
